MILITARY LEONARDO-FINMECCANICA P-72A
78 | http://www.airinternational.comThe MSOs work at the four multifunction
operator consoles (MOC); usually, MOC-1
manages the radar, MOC-2 controls the
electro-optical system, MOC-3 handles
tracking and tactical navigation, and MOC-
4 deals with communications and the ESM
system. However, each screen is capable
of being set to sensor fusion, thereby
amalgamating data from a variety of sensors.
Like on the Atlantic, the mission commander
retains the role of crew chief. Work performed
by the MSO and TACCO can be followed
by the pilots, thanks to the presence in
the cockpit instrument panel of a tactical
display, a 12in (305mm) image repeater that
overlays the tactical situation data derived
from the sensors on to a navigation map.
The operator can also call up the returns
detected by the radar and imagery capturedby the electro-optical sensors. This latter
capability is important, as it enables the
mission commander to understand better
the tactical situation and formulate a plan
to achieve the mission’s objectives. The
tactical display, together with the DASS
screen, is the only military modification to the
instrument panel of the aircraft. Externally,
the aircraft shows various alterations, such
as structural strengthening, the addition of
the self-defence system sensors, the radar’s
radome, the multi-spectral imaging system
turret under the belly and the radome of the
satellite systems on the dorsal area. Another
modification on the P-72 is the rear door,
which slides rather than tilts, enabling it to be
opened in flight for the deployment of SAR
kit. The flight envelope for the deployment of
the survival dinghies (each having 11 places)requires that the drop is conducted visually
from a height of 150ft (45m) and at a speed
not greater than 150kts.Maritime patrol
Operationally speaking, maritime patrol
has for a long time been managed as a
partnership between the Aeronautica Militare
and the Marina Militare (Navy). Although
the Aeronautica Militare owns the aircraft,
undertakes training and technical and
logistical management of personnel and
supports flying activities through its Stormi,
it is the Marina Militare that is responsible for
the operational control of the aircraft. Colonel
Francesco Frare confirmed this: “41° Stormo
reports to the Ispettorato per l’Aviazione di
Marina [Naval Aviation Inspectorate], a unit
directed by an officer from the Air Force
[General Amedeo Magnani at the present
time], but who is inserted into the structure
of the Stato Maggiore Marina [Navy General
Staff]. The unit reports operationally, however,
to the Comando in Capo della Squadra Navale
[Commander in Chief of the Naval Squadron].”
Since the times of the S-2F Tracker and
the Atlantic, the anti-submarine and patrol
component has a mixture of Aeronautica
Militare and the Marina Militare personnel,
including the aircrew. Naval officers are always
assigned the role of Capo Ufficio Operazioni
di Stormo (Chief of Wing Operations) and
Capo Sezione Operazioni della Gruppo Volo
(Squadron Operations Chief).
Patrol missions flown by the P-72 are
different from those that were performed
by the Atlantic, as the aircraft has a
shorter endurance, almost half that of its
predecessor, and a cruising speed of around
200kts (370km/h), equal to a ground speed
of 250kts (463km/h), slightly slower than the
Atlantic. On the plus side, however, is the
capability and range of the onboard sensors,
which compensate somewhat for the slowerToday, missions performed
by the P-72 do not require
low level flight profiles,
as in the anti-submarine
warfare mission.A P-72A ready to taxi from the main apron used by 41° Stormo at Sigonella.”In 2018, we are aiming to achieve 2,400 hours,
because under the support contract each
aircraft should fly at least 800 hours per year.”
Commander Gruppo Efficienza Velivoli 41° Stormo, Colonel Alfredo N